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Grant Davis featured on SoCo Chat podcast

Sonoma Water General Manager Grant Davis was the featured guest on SoCo Chat, the public affairs podcast produced by the County of Sonoma. In the episode, entitled Water: managing a precious resource in a changing climate, Davis noted the history of the water agency and its beginnings 75 years ago as a flood control and conservation district, and how the mission evolved and grew over the years to become the largest water wholesaler in the area, providing water supply to more than 600,000 people in Marin and Sonoma counties. Hear him describe innovations that Sonoma Water introduced to manage water supply and flood control in the face of our changing climate.  

Listen to the SoCo Chat podcast on these services:

 Spotify » | YouTube » | Apple » | Amazon »

Washington Creek Emergency Repairs Update

On Oct. 22, Sonoma Water’s Board of Directors received a report on the emergency repairs to a retaining wall and channel liners in Washington Creek in Petaluma. Construction crews have been working on proactive repairs including part of the flood channel retaining wall that needed reinforcement.

During the week of Sept. 30, both the retaining wall and channel liners were completed. Sonoma Water survey staff continued to monitor the adjacent property owner’s ground conditions. No settling or negative effects from construction are present. The concrete is now curing and crews completed cleanup activities.

This engineered channel was originally constructed in the 1970s. Sonoma Water owns, or has easements to maintain, approximately 75 miles of engineered flood control channels in our service area.

Counting Chinook in the Russian River

Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership Annual Report Now Available

Anyone interested in the work of the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership is in luck, because the partnership’s annual report for the 2023-2024 fiscal year is now available! This report showcases the partnership’s collective achievements in water conservation across Sonoma and Marin counties, highlighting the impactful programs and partnerships that drive its efforts.

The partnership was established to implement effective water use efficiency projects and maximize the cost-effectiveness of our region's water conservation programs. Here are some of its key achievements for the past year:

-         372,698 sq feet of lawn removed through rebate programs and mulch madness

-         523 irrigation systems retrofitted with smart controllers

-         44,399 gallons of rainwater harvesting capasity added

-         1,423 water smart home evaluations

-         544 Flume water monitoring installations

-         1,463 residential toilet replacements

-         201 high-efficiency clothes washer rebates

-         And many more!

Looking back over 75 years: The 2000s

Collector 6 constructed 

In 2006, Sonoma Water completed the construction of Collector 6, a significant addition to its water supply infrastructure. Sonoma Water’s collector wells draw water from below the Russian River streambed. They are designed to provide a more reliable and environmentally friendly method of water extraction compared to direct river pumping. The addition of Collector 6 enhanced Sonoma Water's ability to meet the growing water demands of the region while minimizing environmental impact. 

2009 Sonoma County Energy Independence Program launched.  

On March 25, 2009, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors established the Sonoma County Energy Independence Program. The program allowed property owners to finance energy efficiency, water conservation and renewable energy improvements through a voluntary assessment on their property tax bills. Key features of the Sonoma County Energy Independence Program include: 

·        Long-term, low-interest financing for property owners 

·        Funding for a wide range of eligible improvements, including solar installations, energy-efficient windows and water-saving fixtures 

·        The ability to transfer the assessment to new property owners if the property is sold 

·        Support for local job creation in the green energy sector 

Sonoma Water and Sonoma County together provided the startup funds. Sonoma Water provided $15 million in assets, while the County of Sonoma allocated $45 million to augment the funding pool. 

Save the Date for the Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025! Sonoma Water is once again proud to co-host the annual Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Friends of Lake Sonoma.

Groundwater Sustainability Agency Advisory Board Openings

Sonoma County’s groundwater sustainability agency advisory committees are currently accepting applications for open seats, including two Sonoma Water appointed seats beginning in January 2025. The application deadline is Dec. 6. More information and applications are posted at the links below:

Sonoma County Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs)

PETALUMA VALLEY GSA Member At-Large

SONOMA VALLEY GSA Agricultural Interest Member and Sonoma Water Appointed Member

SANTA ROSA PLAIN GSA Agricultural Interest Member and Sonoma Water Appointed Member

Current water supply conditions as of 11/11/2024:  

Lake Mendocino FIRO* Target Water Storage Curve: 80,050 acre-feet

Current Storage: 50,522 acre-feet (63.11% of FIRO Storage Curve)

Lake Sonoma Minor Deviation Curve: 254,500 acre-feet

Current Storage: 221,840 acre-feet (87.17% of Minor Deviation Storage Curve)

*FIRO is the acronym for Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations

Current rainfall conditions (10/1/24 –11/12/2024)  

Ukiah:

Current Water Year: 1.63” which is 57% of average

Average (1894-2023 water years): 2.84"

Santa Rosa (STS):

Current Water Year: 1.26” which is 45% of average

Average (1950-2023 water years): 2.78"

Rainfall Data Source: NOAA's California Nevada River Forecast Center